The company's RecycLiCo closed-loop process was used to produce  NMC-622 (nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide) cathode precursor from black mass feedstock produced by mechanical size reduction of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.

American Manganese, which had sourced and tested the samples of black mass from an electric vehicle manufacturer, noted that lab-scale testing of the black mass samples demonstrated a 99% leach extraction efficiency of lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt.

The resulting pregnant leach solution (PLS) was then adjusted to the desired ratio of nickel, manganese, and cobalt before the direct co-precipitation of the NMC-622 cathode precursor.

"RecycLiCo is a critical resource solution, not waste disposal. Our focus is more than just breaking down waste material. We have been focused on the upcycling of waste lithium-ion battery cathode materials to create useful, high-value products and I'm proud to demonstrate our processing efficiency to industry leaders that recognize the potential benefits of integrating RecycLiCo alongside their facilities," said Larry Reaugh, President and CEO of American Manganese.